The work
I have seen, produced by MSA graduates, is exciting, and creative. Manchester is an ideal
choice because I enjoy living and working in the city environment, and
Manchester is a dynamic city where culture flourishes. Due to
government initiatives devolving more powers and funds to regional cites, I
have noticed that Manchester has become more popular for emerging businesses,
shown by the opening of Home. Also, many architects’ practices are opening new
branches in Manchester. I would like to study here in order to be involved in
the exciting evolution of Manchester. I am particularly impressed by the
beautifully and newly designed Chatham and Benzie Buildings.
I
recently visited Ai Wei Wei’s exhibition at the RA. This exhibition was
extremely popular, due to the controversy of Ai Wei Wei’s conflict with the
authorities in China. Ai Wei Wei’s art takes on a political agenda, and he uses
culture to attempt to crack the façade of the ‘outdated’ regime that exists in
China. His installations are the culmination of his political activity. The art
resides not only in the physical model, but in the explanatory writing and
videos around the gallery. The demolition of Ai's government-commissioned arts
centre was one of the most saddening things in the art gallery. This
beautifully designed building did not comply with Chinese regulation and was
knocked down as soon as it was built. As a result of his protests, Ai was put
under house arrest. It demonstrated how dedicated artists have to be to realise
their projects.
Denys
Lasdun is my favourite architect, as I find the National Theatre the most
beautiful building in London. The public space around the theatre, and
interiors were renovated by Haworth Tompkins Architects. The 1970s cast
concrete has been cleaned to allow the crisp lines in Lasdun’s design look even
more sensual and elegant. The hanging lights in the front windows make the
building look like a church to culture. On walking up the concrete maze of
steps and balconies, it was amazing to emerge to find a serene garden on a high
platform of the building.
I would
like to experience Habitat 67 in Montreal, Canada, in order to have a greater
understanding of Moshe Safdie’s ‘failed dream’ of interdependent living. 354
housing cubicles are stacked on top of each other in a bizarre sequence, overlooking
a bay. The experimental design is very refreshing amidst a lot of current yet,
conservative architecture. Socially, it would be interesting to experience the
‘communal’ living. Habitat 67 seems like a desirable housing model that could
work and be replicated around the world, yet it would be fascinating to fully
understand the reason for its ‘failure’.
